US Urged to Brace for Bird Flu: "It Could Very Well Be the Next Pandemic"

The US — and the globe — ought to be concerned as well bird flu Could turn into the next pandemic, cautioned an expert in infectious diseases. Covid-19 expert.

Human H5N1 instances among those who interacted with infected animals animals has been documented across all 50 states, and avian influenza is prevalent among wild birds globally.

By Wednesday, there had been 70 reported human cases in America along with one fatality, as stated by the authorities. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that no person-to-person transmission has been documented, and the country’s nationwide public health response is ongoing. health The agency assesses the present risk to the public as 'low'.

However, an expert who leads a show weekly video series Regarding the most recent updates on infectious diseases and public health concerns, they mentioned that the US ought to worry about the avian influenza possibly escalating into a global pandemic and further.

“Yes, it definitely has the potential to become the next pandemic,” Professor Dr. Robert Murphy, who specializes in infectious diseases and biomedical engineering at Northwestern University, stated. on Wednesday.

'We need to worry because this might trigger another pandemic. There’s a definite possibility.'

The positive news is that so far, there has been no indication of human-to-human transmission of H5N1. However, “it’s a type of virus that mutate readily and often,” he stated.

"If these mutations keep occurring and alter the virus to make it more easily transmitted from person to person, we're in serious trouble," warned Murphy, who serves as the executive director of the Havey Institute for Global Health at the university’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

The The first and sole human fatality connected to the present outbreak. The first case of avian flu in the US occurred in January – an elderly patient from Louisiana over the age of 65 who was admitted to hospital due to serious breathing issues.

However, across Asia, the mortality rate has been more significant. Between January 2023 and December 2024, out of 261 reported H5N1 cases in Australia, Cambodia, China, Laos, and Vietnam, the death toll stood at 54% as per official records. World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Western Pacific Region .’

'We aren't sure if this is due to better reporting or how accurate these figures are, but it's probably deadlier than your average Type A influenza, which is causing major concern,' Murphy stated regarding the avian flu.

Influenza type A is a frequent illness that has the potential to cause large-scale flu epidemics and can be severe.

Although compared to the period leading up to the coronavirus pandemic, significantly more preventive actions have been taken worldwide.

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the US Department of Health and Human Services along with comparable organizations in various nations, have accumulated stocks of millions of human avian influenza vaccine doses.

'They're kept as backup in case this becomes popular,' Murphy stated.

'So that’s occurring, but are we ready for the next pandemic? No.'

Licensed lab tests are available for detecting avian flu, yet the US doesn’t have readily accessible at-home diagnostics. Murphy mentioned that adapting the tech for user-friendly applications should not be complicated, and emphasized that improved treatments must also be created.

'I don't believe this will be similar to COVID since we already have a vaccine and treatments available,' Murphy stated.

'Some of the treatments used for typical influenza can also be effective against bird flu, however, improved therapies would certainly be beneficial.'

Advancements have been achieved in another key area concerning readiness.

Last month, WHO member countries finished drafting a potential pandemic treaty. focused on enhancing worldwide cooperation for safeguarding against and responding to potential future pandemics. The United States is part of this initiative.

The proposal will be presented for review at the 78th World Health Assembly taking place from May 19 to 27. Geneva , Switzerland .

'If this agreement gets signed, then when the next pandemic hits, everyone will know precisely their responsibilities and how nations should cooperate. That would be quite beneficial,' Murphy stated optimistically.

‘If the bird flu becomes a pandemic, if humans can start spreading it to one another, we are much more ready for it than for the Covid pandemic that we just finished.’

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